Lacombe

Ponoka Mayor Kevin Ferguson provided the following statement on the looming tariff threat:   

“This is an extremely concerning matter for all Canadians, and one that we hope is short-lived.  

“While tariffs have thankfully been delayed for 30 days, we still don’t know what lies ahead. What we do know is that tariffs would be harmful to citizens on both sides of the border, including citizens in Ponoka.  

Key cabinet ministers returned to Washington Tuesday to keep pressing Canada's economic case as a month-long pause on Donald Trump's tariff threat has done little to ease Canada's concerns.

"I do think there are opportunities for conversations to enable us actually to move away from the conversation about tariffs," Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said Tuesday.

Red Deer building permit values have started off high this year, with 65 permits issued in January 2025 valued at $17 million, compared with 67 permits worth $7 million in January of 2024.

Notable permits include:

Central Alberta business owners are preparing for what life might look like if U.S. President Donald Trump decides to go ahead with his planned tariffs against Canada.

On the weekend Trump signed an order to impose 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on Canadian imports, with a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy. Trump has since agreed to delay the tariffs against Canada for at least 30 days.

Carpet and flooring were part of the 25 per cent retaliatory tariff list announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Update:

The extreme cold warning for Clearwater County has ended. 

Wind chill values of minus 40 to minus 45 moderated this afternoon. 

Extreme cold puts everyone at risk. Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) is looking to honour a few notable farmers from around the province.

They're hosting the Semi-Annual Meeting & Honour Scroll Banquet this week on February 7th.

SSGA President Jeff Yorga says that the event is historically a big part of Saskatchewan and they want to give it the credit it deserves.

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Mayor’s Recognition Awards.

The awards honour individuals, groups and teams who have made a special contribution that has brought honour and recognition to Red Deer.

The deadline to make a nomination is Monday, February 24 at 9 a.m.

There are five award categories:

On Jan. 30, at approximately 1:30 a.m., a semi-truck was stolen from Edmonton. 

When it was discovered stolen at roughly 8 a.m., it was reported to the Edmonton Police Service and the truck was subsequently tracked with an installed GPS device.

Members of the Vegreville RCMP were dispatched to the area, where they located the semi-truck and attempted to stop it, but it fled from police. 

The washrooms at a sports facility in Sylvan Lake are closed to repair damage caused by vandalism.  

Damage to the Leader Field washrooms includes broken fixtures and partitions, as well as human waste on the floor.  

The repair will take two weeks to complete.  

The washrooms are expected to re-open the week of Feb. 17. 

The Red Deer Rebels have reassigned the following players after the conclusion of their four-game road trip:

• Forward Noah Milford (2008-born) Calgary UHA U18 (CSSHL)
• Defenceman Graeme Pickering (2009-born) RHA Winnipeg U18 (CSSHL)

Milford competed in four games during the 2024-25 season finishing with one goal. He was drafted 150th overall by Red Deer in the 2023 WHL Draft.